The Bozeman weekly chronicle. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1883-1889, 1887-11-16
THE

advance was ordered. Co. X. was or.
dered to take a position on the left flank
of the Indians, who In the meantime
had also formed a long, irregular line
facing the position of the troops. Scat
tering shots were fired in the air by the
Indians, which seemed to indicate that
the reds were ready and impatient for
the ball to open. As Co. X. moved
down the valley of the Little Horn, the
Indian line was at once extended to
meet the flank movement of the troops.
Sword Bearer could be seen in the dis
lance, bearin aloft the deadly instru-
ment that was to be az fatal to the
troopers as a touch of the death-angel's
wing. AS the lines approached each
other, what must have been the thoughts
of those misguided young Indians. The
historic surroundings were indeed suffi-
cient to inspire Indians with superhuman
efforts to overthrow and cast off the
yoke of their white rulers, while the
historic surroundings were sufficient to
in a corresponding degree dampen the
ardor of the troops. To the northwest,
distant about two miles, in plain sight
of the battlefield, stands Custer monu-
ment, a silent witness of the martial
scenes below. Here Sitting Bull met
the advancing Custer and administered
q defeat so dreadful in its consequences
as to shock the civilized world. Here it
was that the red man achieved one of
the greatest victories that is recorded in
Indian warfare. Here it was that the
gallant Custer persisted with the flower
of his regiment. Here it was hat Sit
ting Bull achieved a victory, from the
results of which was drawn courage
inspiration and confidence enough to
prolong the great Sioux war for months
and years.
The troopers moved on 1t a rapid pace.
The Indians were the first 10 open FIRE
Corporal Sampson fell dead at the first
discharge. About the same moment
Private Malloy vas wounded. The In
dams fell back slowly toward the river,
lodging and scooting in all directions, to
avoid the fire of the troops. Many
Indians under cover of the brush, stole
quietly back to the friendly encamp
ment neal the agency. The retreat
became more rapid as the river was ap.
preached, and a lively running skirmish
ensued. At the crossing of the Little
Horn, and about and one half miles
below the agency. Sword Bearer made a
stand, where he fell, with four of his
followers.
Several claim the distinguished honor
of firing the fatal shot. This is a point
which will not likely be settled in the
near future. The body of the medicine
man has been taken to the camp.
About twenty or twenty-five Indians
composing some of the most unruly,
have taken to the hills to the southeast
of the Little Horn. The cavalry are in
hot pursuit, and must certainly capture
most of them in a very short time.
Thus ends the much-talked-of Crow
war, which might have been ended the
next day after the Indians fired into the
agency. 1t therefore transpires that G
little bad Indian medicine and a good
deal Of unnecessary delay on the part Of
the war department, has caused a great
deal of uneasiness among the settlers
along the Yellowstone valley, and a very
large outlay on the part of the govern
ment. Had the unruly ones been
promptly arrested, no discomfort would
have resulted therefrom. The long
delay has caused discomfort to spread
through the whole camp. Since writing
the above, Crazy Head has surrendered
and also brought in his unruly son,
called, He-Knows- is-Coues, who is
now a prisoner. This young man is one
of the seven that fred into the agency.
1t is thought that the number of In
dams killed will amount to eight or ten.
LALER.
All the Crows have surrendered, and
all the unruly ones have peer arrested
and are in the guard-house at Custer.
EltC w CiiAOlo dIc hicO uAuc uitCot
including Crazy Head and Deaf Bull.
1t is understood that all the Indians will
be taken 10 Fort Smelling for the present,
and will most likely be taken to Florida.
The young son of Crazy Head turned
states evidence and said his father had
urged the fight all the time. After the
medicine man had left the creek bottom,
and taken to the hills, Crazy Head fol-
lowed him, found him, and told him to
come back and lead the Indians,
and make another. stand, saying
"You have gotten the Indians into this
trouble; 10Y yo" must stay with them,
if your medicine Is good"
There is great mourning in camp.
The soldiers are jubilant. #**